Facing of mounting resource constraints and rising demands for personalization in medical education, regional anatomy teaching urgently requires transformation. In this paper, we focus on the regional anatomy of the thoracic wall, in order to explore a novel AI-driven teaching paradigm. Anchored in the core principle of “virtual-real integration with cadaveric dissection as the cornerstone,” the paradigm redefines educational objective  and constructs an intelligent, closed-loop teaching model integrating students, computers, and instructors. Leveraging the robust support of digital intelligence (e.g. , DeepSeek), this paradigm incorporates interactive method including group collaboration, branching instruction, and gamified assessments. It achieves a comprehensive intelligent transformation of the entire teaching process—from goal setting and plan customization to activity implementation, task completion, outcome exchange, multidimensional evaluation, and reflective iteration. This new paradigm centers on medical students and leverages digital intelligence to activate deep personalized learning potential. It seamlessly integrates fundamental anatomical knowledge with clinical scenarios (e.g. , key anatomy in breast cancer surgery, flap design in breast reconstruction), and significantly enhances clinical decision-making abilities, scientific research and innovative thinking, as well as medical humanistic literacy, paving a new path for intelligent medical education.

Objective  To investigate the types and mechanisms of microglial cell death induced by interaction between palmitic acid (PA) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS).  Methods  BV-2 microglial cells were divided into three groups for apoptosis research, BSA group, PA treatment group, and staurosporine (STA) group. They were further divided into four groups for necrosis research, BSA group, BSA + inhibitor group, PA group, and PA + inhibitor group. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression levels of key proteins involved in apoptosis and necrosis pathways. The effect of PA on microglial cells was validated through feeding a high-fat diet to Institute of Cancer Research(ICR) mice. Results  Apoptotic microglia were observed in both BSA group and PA group, PA significantly induced the activation of caspase-3, caspase-7, and poly ADP-ribose polymerase(PARP). However, compared to the BSA group, the level of activated Caspase-7 in the STA group did not change significantly. Inhibition of ferroptosis, necroptosis, or autophagy did not protect against PA-induced cell damage, while the Caspase-11 inhibitor, wedelolactone (WE), significantly improved PA induced cell damage. This study also found that PA could promote LPS entry into microglial cells and induce pyroptosis. This phenomenon and the protective effect of WE were further confirmed in a high-fat diet mouse model through immunofluorescent staining and Western blotting.   Conclusion  PA induces apoptosis and pyroptosis in microglial cells, while simultaneously promoting LPS entry into microglial cells and inducing pyroptosis.

Objective To develop a method  of combining electroencephalogram(EEG) /electromyography (EMG) with multi-regional fiber photometry recording to simultaneously capture the changes of neuronal activity in the whole brain and specific brain regions during epileptic seizures.    Methods The mouse head was divided into left and right regions based on the middle suture of the skull. EEG electrodes (EEG/EMG) were implanted in one side, while optical fibers were implanted in the striatum, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and thalamus on the contralateral side to simultaneously monitor EEG, EMG, and calcium signal dynamics.    Results By combining EEG/EMG with multi-regional fiber photometry recording, differences in neuronal activity across brain regions, alongside EEG and EMG, were observed during different behavioral states. In a kainic acid (KA)-induced epilepsy model, abnormal synchronous neuronal discharges in the mouse brain were accompanied by calcium signal changes in the striatum, hippocampus, entorhinal cortex, and thalamus, with the earliest changes occurring in the hippocampus.    Conclusion The combined use of EEG/EMG and multi-brain-region fiber photometry is successfully implemented in mice. This method  synchronously recordes abnormal calcium signal changes across multiple brain regions, along with EEG and EMG, in the KA-induced epilepsy model.  

 Objective  To investigate the effects of short-term and long-term high-fructose diets on hippocampal neurometabolites and anxiety and depression-like behaviors in mice, revealing the potential mechanisms of high-fructose diets in mood disorders and providing a experimental basis for the prevention and treatment of related diseases.  Methods C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into two groups, control group (standard diet, n=10) and experimental group (high-fructose diet, n=10). Four weeks (short-term) and eight weeks (long-term) later, each group of mice was examined for body weight and fasting blood glucose, and neurometabolites levels in the hippocampus were detected by hydrogen proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy(1H-MRS), followed by the open-field test, the forced-swimming test, and the tail-suspension test to evaluate anxiety-like and depression-like behaviors.   Results  High fructose diet for 4 weeks elevated glutamate levels and reduced glutathione and myo-inositol levels in mice, accompanied by shortened immobility time in the forced swim test. High fructose diet for 8 weeks not only led to abnormalities in body weight and glucose metabolism but also caused a reversal decrease in hippocampal glutamate levels and induced significant anxiety-like behaviors, and the decrease in hippocampal glutamate levels showed a significant negative correlation with the enhancement of anxiety-like behaviors.   Conclusion   Altered hippocampal glutamate levels may be a key contributing factor to the anxiety-like behaviors induced by long-term high-fructose diet.

Objective To study the mandibular characteristics of the modern population in Beijing region. Methods  In this study, we examined 22 measurements and their sexual dimorphism index (SDI) of 193 adult mandibles (126 males, 67 females) collected from the Beijing region. In addition, eight mandibular indexes were calculated. These mandibular dimensions of the Beijing population were compared with those of other modern and contemporary populations in Asia, as well as Neolithic-historical populations in Northern China. Results  The predominant mandibular index in the contemporary Beijing population was dolichostenomandibular. The SDI of mandibular size exhibited a wide range of variation. It was noteworthy the minimum height of mandibular ramus, height of mandibular ramus, height of coronoid process and minimum breadth of mandibular ramus demonstrate significant sexual dimorphism (SDI ≥10%). The mandibular size aligned with the variation range of modern and contemporary Asian populations, with the cluster analysis indicating an affiliation with Northern Mongoloids. But the Beijing population was far away from other Northern populations in China. The mandibular size was more gracile compared to ancient populations in Northern China, whereas the height of mandibular ramus was greater than those of the latter. Conclusion  This study provides valuable insights into the physical characteristics of modern populations in Beijing region.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of hippocampal neuronal plasticity of newborn neurons in the hippocampus by which exercise improves the fear and anxiety symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).   Methods Totally 40 C57BL/6J male mice were randomly divided into by control group (Ctrl) and PTSD group, the PTSD group was divided into a no-exercise group (PTSD), a low-intensity exercise group (L) and a high-intensity exercise group (H). The PTSD model mice were constructed by combining conditioned plantar-foot shock (CF) and single-session sustained stress (SPS). After the exercise intervention, the fear and anxiety levels of the mice were assessed using the conditioned fear test and the elevated cross maze test; Subsequently, the densities of the newborn mature neurons in dentate gyrus(DG) of hippocampus were detected by immunofluorescent double-labelling staining, and the newborn neuron morphology was marked by injecting retrovirus pRetro-U6-EF1-EGFP-3xFLAG-WPRE in DG of hippocampus to observe its morphology. The morphology of the newborn neurons was labelled to observe their dendritic length and the number of branch points; Meanwhile, the concentration level of adiponctin(APN) in the hippocampal area was determined by ELISA.  Results The result  showed that both high and low-intensity exercise interventions significantly reduced the freezing time of PTSD mice in the conditioned fear test, and in the elevated cross maze experiment, the residence time and the number of entries in the open arm of the mice in the H group increased significantly compared with those in the PTSD group, while the residence time and the number of entries in the closed arm were significantly reduced. In addition, both high and low-intensity exercise interventions significantly increased the surface density and dendritic length of newborn mature neurons in the hippocampal DG region of PTSD mice, and high-intensity exercise significantly increased the number of dendritic branching points, and the density of newborn mature neurons in the H group was more significantly increased compared with that in the L group. At the same time, the hippocampal APN concentration increased significantly in both L and H groups compared with the PTSD group, and it was more significant in the H group.  Conclusion Exercises have an ameliorative effect on anxiety and fear symptoms in PTSD mice, and at the same time, it can increase hippocampal neuroplasticity and adiponctin secretion in PTSD mice, suggesting that the improvement of fear and anxiety symptoms in PTSD by exercise may be related to the increase of hippocampal neuroplasticity and APN secretion, and the improvement effect is better with high-intensity exercise.

Bone metastasis is a pathological condition in which malignant tumors originating from non-osseous tissues disseminate to bone tissue via the bloodstream, lymphatic system, or direct infiltration,  inducing  bone destruction and severe pain. This condition disrupts normal bone metabolism and triggers various skeletal-related events (SREs), thereby significantly impairing patients’ quality of life. Current therapeutic strategies for bone metastasis include surgical intervention, radiotherapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Among these, bone-targeted therapy has shown promising potential in managing bone metastasis. Recent advancements have highlighted osteoblasts and osteoclasts, the primary regulators of bone remodeling, as critical therapeutic targets. Consequently, several bone-targeted drugs have been developed. These agents not only substantially reduce the incidence of SREs but also markedly enhance patients’quality of life and clinical outcomes. In this review, we elucidate the mechanisms of drug action targeting osteoclasts and osteoblasts, and propose potential directions for future research in bone-targeted therapy. 

Objective To develop and validate a transgenic mouse model enabling specific and inducible optogenetic activation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs).    Methods A conditional allele for the photosensitive opsin chicken opsin 5(cOpn5) (Rosa26-LSL-cOpn5) was generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. These mice were subsequently crossed with NG2-CreERT transgenic mice to produce NG2-CreERT;cOpn5 animals. In this model, tamoxifen administration induces Cre-mediated recombination, leading to specific expression of cOpn5 in NG2-positive OPCs. The specificity and efficiency of cOpn5 expression in OPCs were confirmed by  immunofluorescent staining. Functional validation of light-induced OPC activation was performed by using calcium imaging in acute brain slices after stimulation with 470nm blue light.    Results Immunofluorescence analysis confirmed robust and specific expression of cOpn5 within NG2-positive OPCs in the brains of tamoxifentreated NG2-CreERT;cOpn5 mice. Crucially, calcium imaging of acute brain slices from these mice demonstrated a significant increase in intracellular calcium levels in cOpn5-expressing OPCs upon stimulation with 470nm blue light, indicating successful optogenetic activation.   Conclusion We have successfully generated and validated a novel transgenic mouse model (NG2-CreERT;cOpn5) that permits specific and inducible optogenetic activation of OPCs. This model provides a novel tool for subsequent in vivo studies of the role and regulating mechanisms of OPCs in the central nervous system. 

Cranio-maxillofacial surgery, as a field of plastic surgery that integrates functional restoration and aesthetic remodeling, is undergoing a transformation from experience-based to digital and intelligent. With the deep integration of augmented reality (AR), artificial intelligence (AI), and robotic technology, modern cranio-maxillofacial plastic surgery has broken through the limitations of traditional techniques and entered the area of precise digital medicine. In this article, we systematically expounds the application prospects of intelligent navigation and surgical robots in the field of cranio-maxillofacial plastic surgery, from preoperative three-dimensional planning, intraoperative Real-time navigation to postoperative intelligent effect evaluation, revealing how core technologies such as multimodal data fusion, virtual-real registration, and force feedback control work together to enhance the precision and safety of surgery. By analyzing the latest research progress at home and abroad and comparing the advantages and challenges of different technical routes, it looks forward to future development directions such as remote surgery and autonomous decision-making. This review aims to provide a panoramic view of technological development for clinical practice and promote the standardized application and innovative breakthroughs of intelligent surgical systems in the field of cranio-maxillofacial plastic surgery.

 Objective To construct a predictive model for high-grade pathological components of early invasive lung adenocarcinoma(ILAC) based on radiomics.    Methods Collecting information on total 495 patients who underwent radical operation and were pathologically diagnosed as stage Ⅰ in the cardiothoracic surgery of Zhoushan Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019, including gender, age, pathological findings, tumor markers and preoperative chest CT images. The micropapillary and solid components in postoperative pathology were defined as “high-grade pathological components”, while those without high-grade pathological components were classified into the low-grade group and those with high-grade pathological components were classified into the high-grade group. And patients were randomly divided into the training set(343 cases) and the validation set(152 cases) with a ratio of 7∶3 using the simple randomization grouping method. The region of interest of nodules on CT images were delineated layer by layer by scientific research platform and 1950 radiomics features were extracted. And then those features were filtrated by Ftest, Pearson correlation coefficient, and L1 based feature selection. A model was built by using Logistic regression machine learning classifier, named mod 2, and radscore was also obtained. Differences between general information and CT features were analyzed. Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to construct a model for statistically significant variables, named mod 1. At the same time, Radscore was added to build the mod and named comb mod. The area under the curve(AUC), sensitivity and specificity of the three models were calculated. A nomogram was also drawn.   Results A total of 495 patients were divided into the training set (n=343) and the validation set (n=152). Gender, carcinoma embryonic antigen(CEA), nodule, and maximum diameter were screened out in clinical features and involved in constructing the mod 1. Twelve features were selected from the radiomics features to build mod 2. Comb mod performed best, training set AUC:0.887, validation set AUC:0.875, and had good clinical practicability.    Conclusion The model composed of general feature, CT feature and radiomics features could accurately predict high-grade pathological components in early ILAC, and provide references for clinicians to choose surgical method  for patients. 

Objective To explore the role of the protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK)-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway in a model of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced microglia inflammation.   Methods  To investigate its effects on endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, an inflammation model of microglia was established by stimulating with LPS at gradient concentrations for 24 hours and with 1 mg/L LPS for different durations. Cell viability was assessed by the CCK-8 assay; The mRNA and protein expression levels of related inflammatory factors were measured by Real-time PCR and ELISA kits. Cellular oxidative stress was evaluated by detecting reactive oxygen species (ROS), and Realtime PCR and Western blotting were used to examine the mRNA and protein expression levels of ER stress pathway markers associated with inflammation.   Results  1. The effects of different concentrations of LPS on cell viability and morphology were not statistically significant after acting on BV-2 cells for 24 hours (P>0.05); 2. 1 mg/L LPS incubated with BV-2 cells for different times and the cell viability decreased with the increase of time; 3. Compared with the 0 hour group, the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-1β, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) mRNA and protein expression increased significantly (P<0.05) in the LPS-stimulated 9 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours groups, and the inflammation model was successfully established; 4. Compared with the 0 hour group, the protein and mRNA expression levels of the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway-related indexes in the LPS-stimulated 9 hours, 12 hours, and 24 hours groups increased significantly (P<0.01), which showed the time-dependence; 5. After adding the PERK inhibitor GSK2606414, the mRNA and protein expression levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related indicators in the PERK inhibitor group were significantly reduced compared with those in the LPS group (P<0.05); 6. The mRNA and protein expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the fluorescence intensity of ROS in the PERK inhibitor group were significantly reduced compared with those in the LPS group (P<0.01). Conclusion  Targeting PERK-mediated endoplasmic reticulum stress inhibits LPS-induced inflammatory responses in microglia. 

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is one of the most common degenerative diseases of the central nervous system in the elderly population, and genetic factors play an important role in its development. Microglia, as resident macrophages in the central nervous system, are closely related to the occurrence and development of AD. Human AD brain tissue staining result  and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS) indicate that AD risk genes such as apolipoprotein E (APOE)4, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM2), REV-ERBα and ATP binding cassette (ABC) family are involved in inducing lipid metabolism disorders in microglia and the occurrence of lipid-droplet-accumulating microglia (LDAM). This article reviews the genetic causes of LDAM, and discusses the possible mechanism of AD induced by neuronal damage and other means.

Objective To investigate the differences of perineuronal net (PNN) and parvalbumin (PV)-positive neuron distribution across specific brain regions between young and aged mice.  Methods Brains from young (45 days) and aged (350 days) mice (n=4 per group) were fixed with 4% paraformaldehyde, sectioned (50 μm) using a vibratome, and stained with Wisteria floribunda agglutinin (WFA) and PV immunofluorescence. Quantitative analyses of PNN-positive and PV-positive neurons, along with PNN encapsulation of PV-positive neurons, were performed in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), somatosensory cortex barrel field layer 4 (S1BF L4), striatum (STR), and hippocampal CA2 region.    Results Aged mice exhibited no significant changes in PNN-positive or PV-positive neuron counts in ACC, S1BF L4, or STR compared to young mice, but showed significantly increased PNN encapsulation of PV-positive neurons. In hippocampal CA2, PNN-positive neurons increased significantly without PV-positive neuron alterations.    Conclusion The differences in PNN-PV neuron interactions and PNN density exist in specific brain regions of young and aged mice. 

Objective To explore the epidemiological characteristics and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) features of duplicated and accessory middle cerebral artery (DMCA and AMCA), and to raise awareness of this vascular variation.

 Methods  Imaging data of 8131 patients underwent cranial MRI and MRA examinations in Anyang People’s Hospital from April 2023 to August 2023 were collected, and DMCA or AMCA variation were investigated. The epidemiological characteristics, MRA features and classification of DMCA and AMCA were analyzed. Meanwhile the concurrent other cerebrovascular variations were observed. Results  Totally 113 of 8131 patients were detected to have 119 DMCA or AMCA vascular variants. There were 64 DMCA including 24 type A and 40 type B, and there were 55 AMCA including 38 of type 1 and 17 of type 2. The relative diameter of type A DMCA was larger than that of type B DMCA, type 1 and type 2 AMCA. The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). The incidence of DMCA and AMCA combined with other cerebrovascular variations was 54.69% and 34.69%, respectively.   Conclusion  MRA is simple and practicable, and can intuitively display DMCA or AMCA. So, it can be used as an important method  for the diagnostic of DMCA or AMCA. The DMCA and AMCA variation make related surgeries more complex, and it plays an undeniable role in the prognosis of related cerebral infarction. This vascular variation has important clinical significance for guiding neurosurgeons and neurologists to formulate reasonable treatment plans.

Objective To obtain the physical phenotypic characteristics of Tajik adults in Xinjiang Aketao, and enrich the physical anthropology research data of Tajik populations. MethodsUsing anthropometric method, 37 anthropometric indices, 17 physical calculated indices and subtypes of 317 Tajik adults (137 males and 180 females) in Xinjiang Aketao were investigated and analyzed. ResultsThe anthropometric study of Tajik adults in Xinjiang Aketao revealed significant gender differences in 31 body anthropometric indices (including stature and sitting height), with 12 physical calculated indices including the tibio-radial index and forearm length-girth index also demonstrating gender-related variations. Nine anthropometric indices (including stature and sitting height) and five physical calculated indices (including the forearm length-girth index and stature-chest circumference index) showed age-related differences in both males and females. The Tajik adults in Xinjiang Aketao were characterized by above-average stature, wide shoulders, wide pelvis, and middle trunk type. ConclusionThere are certain differences in physical phenotypic characteristics of the Tajik adults of Xinjiang Aketao, compared to the Tajik adults of Xinjiang Taxkorgan, while the differences are relatively small compared to the Altaic-speaking populations (Kirgiz, Kazak).

Objective To investigate the potential mechanism of action of polygonatum odoratum in treating Alzheimer’s disease through the utilization of network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques.    Methods The methods employed include target screening, Gene Ontology (GO) function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis, and molecular docking simulations to assess the binding interactions between the active compounds in polygonatum odoratum (POD) and the key target proteins associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Subsequently, lipopolysaccharide（LPS）was used to induce an inflammatory cell model in BV2 microglial cells. After treating the cell model with POD extract for 24 hours, the cells were collected, and the expression of the target genes were detected by Real-time PCR.    Results Eight active ingredients and 172 targets of POD were screened. The biological processes such as protein phosphorylation and signal transduction, protein binding and ATP binding were obtained by GO functional analysis. KEGG enrichment yielded PI3K/Akt, cAMP and other signaling pathways. The molecular docking result  showed that the active ingredient of POD had well binding activity with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), proto-oncogene tyrosine-protein kinase Src (SRC), tumor necrosis factor （TNF）, STAT3. Through Real-time PCR experiments, the gene expressions of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), prostaglandin G/H synthase 2(PTGS2), interleukin (IL) -6, and IL-1β in the LPS-induced inflammatory cell model were significantly upregulated. After treating the inflammatory model with POD extract for 24 hours, the expression of TNF-α was significantly reduced, the expression of STAT3 was upregulated, there were no significant changes in the expressions of SRC and EGFR.    Conclusion Network pharmacology suggests polygonatum odoratum’s potential anti-Alzheimer’s effects may be mediated through its interaction with targets such as EGFR, TNF, SRC, and STAT3. The experimental results  suggest that polygonatum odoratum exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by acting on TNF-α, which may further alleviate the symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease. 

Objective To explore the integration value of mobile virtual reality devices in the classroom teaching of human anatomy, and to evaluate their potential impact on the in-depth construction of human anatomy knowledge, the cultivation of spatial cognitive ability, and the transformation of teaching paradigms from the perspectives of cognitive load theory and situated learning.   Methods The undergraduate students majoring in clinical medicine in Peking University were selected as the research objects. Among them, students in grade 2019 were the control group, and students in grade 2022 were the experimental group, introducing movable virtual anatomy equipment and other teaching auxiliary method  in theory and practice courses. The final exam scores of the two groups of students were compared, and a questionnaire survey was conducted for the experimental group after the course, and the survey result  were statistically analyzed.   Results The final examination result  showed that the average score of the experimental group was 82.47±10.19, and the average score of the control group was 74.82±16.56, which was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group, with statistical significance (P<0.05). The questionnaire survey result  showed that compared with traditional classroom teaching, 94.62% of students preferred the new auxiliary teaching mode such as VR, 96.77% of students believed that VR assisted teaching could achieve the traditional teaching effect or better, 95.7% of them think that it improved students’ interest in learning human anatomy, and 98.92% thought that it improved students’ knowledge of anatomy.    Conclusion  The application of mobile virtual reality devices in anatomy classroom teaching provides immersive and interactive 3D visualization teaching scenarios, effectively reducing students’ cognitive load on abstract and complex anatomical structures, promoting spatial understanding and knowledge internalization, significantly improving teaching effectiveness and self-learning ability, thus changing the traditional anatomy teaching mode and laying a solid foundation for the development of future medical education and the cultivation of medical talents. 

Objective  To construct a three-dimensional bionic model of intestinal mucosal structure in vitro.   Methods Using fibroin protein with villous-crypt structure as scaffold and Caco-2 and HT29-MTX-E12 as seed cells, the intestinal mucosal epithelial-myofibroblast co-culture model was constructed by three-dimensional co-culture with myofibroblasts in vitro. The growth, activity, histological characteristics and expression of functional genes of model cells were investigated through the detection of cell signature proteins and genes.  Results  1. An intestinal mucosal epithelial-myofibroblast co-culture model was successfully constructed with good cell activity. 2. Mucous secretion increased and muc2 gene expression was up-regulated in the co-culture model.  Conclusion  The co-culture of intestinal mucosal epithelial-myofibroblasts with villous-crypt structure can promote the functional differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells and better simulate the structure and function of intestinal mucosa in vivo. 

Objective To explore the molecular mechanism by which SOS Ras/Rac guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1-intronic transcript 1 (SOS1-IT1) affects enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) protein expression in endometrial cancer cells Ishikawa and RL95-2.   Methods  Lentiviral transfection of short hairpin RNA(shRNA) and overexpression plasmid were used in Ishikawa and RL95-2 cell lines to knock down and overexpress SOS1-IT1. The mechanism of EZH2 expression regulation was studied using Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and chromatin immunoprecipitation.  Results The expression of SOS1-IT1 and EZH2 genes was positively correlated in endometrial cancer tissues. Knocking down SOS1-IT1 significantly reduces the expression of EZH2, inhibited the proliferation and migration of Ishikawa and RL95-2 cells, and could reduced the acetylation of histone H3 at position 27 (H3K27) and the enrichment of CREB binding protein (CBP) in the EZH2 gene promoter region. Overexpression of SOS1-IT1 could increased the expression of EZH2 and enhance the acetylation of H3K27 and the enrichment of CBP. CBP could bind to SOS1-IT1 RNA, and this binding ability was weakened when CBP was knocked down. Conclusion   SOS1-IT1 can promote the expression level of EZH2 in endometrial cancer cells Ishikawa and RL95-2 by regulating the acetylation modification level of the EZH2 gene promoter region, thereby affecting the proliferation and migration ability of endometrial cancer cells. 

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is an environmental pollutant commonly found in plastic products and has toxic effects on female reproductive system. DEHP can interfere with the synthesis of progesterone, testosterone and estradiol through female hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis, aggravate insulin resistance and obesity by affecting glucose and lipid metabolism, and cause ovarian damage through inducing oxidative stress, excessive autophagy and pyroptosis of oocyte or granulosa cells. It can also alter epigenetic genes relating to follicular development and prevent follicles from mature. These factors are closely contribute to the pathogenesis of polycystic ovary syndrome. We systematically summarizes the mechanism of DEHP interfering with ovarian function and inducing polycystic ovary syndrome, in order to provide help for the prevention and treatment of female reproductive injury from environmental pollutant. 

Objective To investigate the effects of remimazolam (REM) on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) rats and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) signaling pathway. Methods  One hundred rats were selected to construct the CIRI rat model(Mod) and stochastically separated into a Mod group, low, medium, and high dose remifentanil groups (REM-L, REM-M, REM-H), and high dose remifentanil+pathway inhibitor Compound C group (REM-H+Compound C), with 20 rats in each group. Another 20 healthy rats were included as the control(Ctrl) group. All rats were subjected to neurobehavioral scoring. The water content, infarct area, and oxidative stress indicators of brain tissue were detected. The morphology and apoptosis of brain tissue were observed by HE and TUNEL staining. Western blotting was applied to detect protein expression related to the AMPK/NLRP3 signaling pathway. Results  Compared with the Mod group, with the increase of REM dose, the movement disorders in rats were alleviated, the overall structure of brain tissue gradually recovered, pathological damage was reduced, the area of cerebral infarction, brain water content, and apoptosis rate of brain tissue cells decreased, reactive oxygen species(ROS) level, malondialdehyde(MDA) content, and NLRP3 and Caspase-1 protein expression levels decreased, superoxide dismutase the(SOD) content and AMPK protein expression level increased (P<0.05). Compared with the REM-H group, the REM-H+Compound C group showed aggravated motor disorders, and more severe pathological damage to brain tissue, the area of cerebral infarction, cerebral water content and apoptosis rate of brain tissue cells increased, the ROS level, MDA content and the protein expression of NLRP3 and Caspase-1 increased, while the content of SOD and the protein expression decreased (P<0.05).   Conclusion  Remimazolam can enhance the antioxidant function of the body, reduce brain cell apoptosis, alleviate brain tissue injury, and thus have a certain protective effect on ischemia-reperfusion brain injury in rats, the mechanism of which may be related to the activation of the AMPK/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Robot-assisted kidney transplantation (RAKT) is an emerging minimally invasive surgical technique that utilizes robotic systems to perform kidney transplantation. Compared with the conventional open kidney transplantation(OKT), RAKT is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative complications and faster postoperative recovery, while maintaining comparable outcomes with open surgery in graft function and graft survival. Despite these advantages, the widespread adoption of RAKT remains limited due to high equipment costs, a steep learning curve, and the lack of high-quality evidence from randomized controlled trials. With the accumulation of clinical experience and continued technological innovation, RAKT is expected to be further optimized and gradually extended to broader clinical settings. It holds promise as a valuable advancement in the field of kidney transplantation, offering a balance between surgical precision and minimally invasive benefits.

Objective To explore the role of SLIT-ROBO Rho GTPase-activating protein 2 (srGAP2) in spinal motor neuron degeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).   Methods   Applied bioinformatics analysis to investigate the expression changes of srGAP2 in the spinal cord of human superoxide dismutase 1(hSOD1) mutant ALS transgenic mice. hSOD1G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice were selected for animal experimental validation, with littermate wild type(WT) mice serving as the control group. A total of 36 pairs were divided into four groups, namely the pre-onset stage, early-onset stage, mid-onset stage, and late-onset stage. The expression changes and cellular localization of srGAP2 in the spinal cord of ALS mice were detected by Real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunofluorescent double-label staining. The hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 motor neuron-like cell model was established, and in vitro experiments were carried out to detect the changes in srGAP2 expression, and the effects of srGAP2 over-expression on the viability of hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells and the growth of cell protrusions.   Results  Bioinformatics analysis revealed abnormally low expression of srGAP2 in the spinal cord of hSOD1 mutant ALS  mice. Animal experiments verified that compared with the WT mice, the expression of srGAP2 was reduced at both mRNA level and protein level in the spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice at early-onset, mid-onset and late-onset stages. Compared with the WT mice, srGAP2 integral absorbance (IA) values in srGAP2⁺/NeuN⁺ double-positive cells in the anterior horn of the spinal cord of hSOD1G93A mutant ALS transgenic mice were lower, srGAP2 IA values in srGAP2⁺/GFAP⁺ double-positive cells were higher; Compared with the hSOD1WT NSC34 cells, the expression of srGAP2 was reduced at both mRNA level and protein level in hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells. Over-expression of srGAP2 elevated the viability of hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells, and up-regulated the expression level of synapse-related protein βⅢ-tubulin and growth associated protein 43（GAP43）.   Conclusion   Low expression of srGAP2 is closely associated with the progression of ALS, while over-expression of srGAP2 can promote outgrowth of cell protrusions and exert a protective effect on spinal motor neurons in ALS. 

Objective To develop the application technology of finger length ratios in the selection of Muay Thai athletes, and to provide practical guidance for improving the competitive level of Muay Thai.    Methods By using the method  of snowball sampling and simple random sampling,413 subjects were selected in Bangkok, Thailand, including 84 male Muay Thai professional players, 62 female Muay Thai professional players, 137 ordinary male college students and 130 female college students. The finger length of the subjects was measured and their finger length ratios was calculated. SPSS 20.0 statistical software was used for discriminant analysis.    Results The 2D∶3D, 2D∶4D, 2D∶5D,3D∶4D and  3D∶5D of male Muay Thai professional players were significantly lower than that in the general male Thai population, and the 2D∶4D, 3D∶4D and 3D∶5D of female Muay Thai players were significantly lower than that in the general female Thai population, and the above differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). Discriminant functions developed using both the full model and stepwise method  were statistically significant, demonstrating high accuracy and stability. The correct discrimination rates were higher in the male population than that in the female population.When distinguishing between Muay Thai professional fighters and the general Thai population, the optimal 2D∶4D threshold for males is 0.951, and for females, it was 0.960.    Conclusion The discriminant model of Muay Thai professional players and ordinary people based on the ratios of finger length can provide important reference for the selection of Muay Thai athletes. 

Paranasal sinuses, also known as nasal sinuses, are a collective term for the air-filled cavities surrounding the nasal cavity within the skull. The paranasal sinuses comprise the maxillary sinuses, ethmoid sinuses, frontal sinuses, and sphenoid sinuses, which are bilaterally symmetrical, totaling four pairs. Due to the deep-seated anatomical location of the paranasal sinuses within the skull, accurate measurement has been historically challenging, resultsing in relatively limited early investigations in this field. In recent years, with the continuous advancement of imaging technologies, research on the morphology of the paranasal sinuses has progressively increased. In this paper we provides a systematic review of domestic and international research on the variations of paranasal sinuses among different populations, factors influencing their growth and development, evolutionary characteristics, and measurement method-ologies. Furthermore, a concise retrospective analysis and future prospects for studies on the paranasal sinuses within the domestic context are provided.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of drawing-based method  in medical courses and their impact on students’ learning habits, academic performance, and comprehensive competencies, in order to meet the demand for high-quality, interdisciplinary, and innovative talent, and provide theoretical support for integrating aesthetic education into medical training.   Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among medical students(n=310) at Dalian Medical University, covering the frequency of using drawing method  and their effects on learning outcomes, innovation ability, and humanistic qualities. Data were analyzed using the Chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test (P<0.05).   Results Totally 93.6% of students approved of using drawing method  for learning medical courses, with 70.8% having developed a habit of drawing-based learning. Students with stronger drawing skills were more inclined to use drawing method and supported their application in teaching. The frequency of drawing-based learning was positively correlated with anatomy scores (P<0.05). Students generally agreed that drawing method enhanced knowledge comprehension, learning interest, long-term memory, innovation ability, critical thinking, and humanistic qualities. However, students with weaker drawing skills perceived drawing method as potentially increasing learning burdens and being less efficient, but this perception significantly decreased with increased drawing frequency (P<0.05).    Conclusion Drawing methods are widely used in medical courses and effectively improve learning outcomes and comprehensive competencies. Drawing proficiency and frequency are key factors influencing students’acceptance and learning effectiveness. Future efforts should focus on promoting drawing method, strengthening students’ drawing skills, and optimizing learning processes to deepen the integration of aesthetic education in medical training. 

Objective  To analyze the clinical efficacy of orthopedic robot-guided percutaneous cannulated screw internal fixation on patients with pelvic fractures retrospectively. MethodsTotally 182 patients with pelvic fractures who were treated in Department of Traumatic Orthopedics of Taihe Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine from January 2023 to December 2024, were divided into observation group (n=91) and control group (n=91) by random number table method. Both groups were treated with percutaneous cannulated screw internal fixation, and the observation group was combined with orthopedic robot guidance. The pelvic reduction status, serological indicators ［serum peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), D-dimer (D-D)］, surgery-related indicators, pain score, pelvic function and incidence rates of long-term complications were compared between the two groups of patients. ResultsAfter 6 months of surgery, the total excellent and good rate of pelvic reduction of patients in observation group was higher than that in control group (P<0.05). Before discharge, the levels of PGC-1α and ALP in the two groups increased, and the levels in observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and D-D level decreased, and the level in observation group was lower (P<0.05). The surgical screw placement time, screw placement time, surgical time, incision length, hospitalization time and fracture healing time in observation group were shorter compared to the control group (P<0.05), and the intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency and intraoperative blood loss volume were less (P<0.05), and the accuracy rate of screw placement was higher than that in the control group (P<0.05). On 12 hours, 3 days and 7 days after surgery, the visual analogue scale(VAS) scores in the two groups of patients were reduced compared with that before surgery, and the score was lower in the observation group (P<0.05). The recovery of pelvic function in observation group after 6 months of surgery was better than that in the control group (P<0.05). The observation group had lower incidence rates of long-term complications than the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Orthopedic robot-guided percutaneous cannulated screw internal fixation can promote the pelvic reduction in patients with pelvic fractures, while also promoting the fracture healing and pelvic function recovery, improving the accuracy rate of screw placement, regulating the bone metabolism, improving the body’s hypercoagulable state, reducing pain, and minimizing the occurrence of long-term complications.

Objective To analyze the basic conditions and pathological characteristics of the samples in the Human Brain Bank of Hebei Medical University, which were pathologically diagnosed as cerebral amyloid angiopathy, and to provide reference for the research of related diseases.  Methods The basic data of gender, age, apolipoprotein E genotype, pathological classification of cerebral amyloid angiopathy, Alzheimer’s disease-related pathological change score, comorbidities and other pathological information were analyzed.    Results Up to October 2024, twenty samples were confirmed by pathological diagnosis, with a male to female ratio of 3∶1 and an average age of (80.90 ± 8.08) years. Involve three kinds of apolipoprotein E subtype, 5 kinds of genotypes (ε2/ε3、ε2/ε4、ε3/ε3、ε3/ε4、ε4/ε4); There were 2 pathologic types, including 6 cases of type 1 and 14 cases of type 2. The pathological grade included 3 grades. The severity grade and subtype classification of cerebral amyloid vascular disease were correlated with the degree of pathological changes of Alzheimer’s disease. Cerebral amyloid angiopathy samples could coexist with other degenerative diseases with high comorbidity.    Conclusion The incidence of cerebral amyloid angiopathy is higher in the aged samples collected based on Brain Bank, which coexists with conditions such as  Alzheimer’s disease and microbleeds, etc. It provides more detailed pathological diagnosis basis for further scientific research sharing of samples. 

Transrectal ultrasound (TRUS)-guided biopsy is currently recognized as one of the main methods for prostate cancer diagnosis, however, it has shortcomings such as missing clinically significant prostate cancer and overdetecting clinically insignificant prostate cancer. Multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) is an important imaging method for diagnosing prostate diseases, which can detect and localize prostate cancer lesions, thus being applicable for guiding targeted biopsy. At present, there are mainly three commonly used techniques for mpMRI-guided targeted biopsy, cognitive fusion, MRI-TRUS image fusion, and MRI-directly guided biopsy. This article elaborates on the application value of MRI and TRUS fusion navigation in guiding prostate targeted biopsy from the aspects of the value of MRI in prostate cancer diagnosis, the application of MRI-TRUS fusion navigation technology in prostate biopsy, and the current problems of fusion navigation and future prospects.

Objective  To explore the ameliorative effect of chelated zinc on neuronal pyroptosis during the acute phase of cerebral ischemia in mice. Methods  Thirty adult male Kunming mice (25-30 g) were randomly divided into three groups according to the randomized controlled principle, sham operation group (sham), middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) reperfusion 3 days group (MCAO), and zinc chelation Tetrakis-(2-pyridylmethyl) ethylenediamine (TPEN) group, with 10 mice in each group. Mice in each group were anesthetized by inhalation, and MCAO model was established by the suture-occlusion method. Mice in each group were subjected to 1 hour of ischemia followed by 3 days of reperfusion. Mice in the TPEN group were intraperitoneally injected with the zinc ion chelator TPEN at a dose of 10 mg/kg immediately after reperfusion, while mice in the sham group only underwent blunt separation of blood vessels. Neurological function scoring, 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, and laser speckle imaging were used to evaluate the protective effect of zinc chelation on cerebral injury in mice. Transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescent staining, zinc probe, and Western blotting were performed to observe the improvement effect of zinc chelation on neuronal pyroptosis after cerebral injury in mice. Transcriptome sequencing combined with Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, immunofluorescence co-staining, and Western blotting were used to detect the expression levels of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, cleaved-Caspase-1, and gasdermin (GSDM) family proteins GSDMD-N proteins after zinc chelation intervention. Results  Zinc chelation improved the neurological function scores of mice (P<0.05), reduced the cerebral infarct volume (P<0.01), and restored the cerebral blood perfusion (P<0.001). Immunofluorescence co-staining results showed that compared with the model group, zinc chelation reduced intracellular zinc ion accumulation in neurons, decreased the number of neuronal deaths in the ischemic hemisphere, and lowered the content of free zinc ions. Transmission electron microscopy results revealed a significant reduction in pyroptotic bodies in the cerebral cortex of mice in the zinc chelation group compared with the model group. Transcriptome sequencing with GO enrichment analysis indicated that inflammation and massive pyroptosis erupted on 3 days after cerebral ischemia. Western blotting and immunofluorescence results demonstrated that TPEN treatment reduced the expression of AIM2 inflammasome proteins induced by cerebral ischemic injury (P<0.05). Conclusion  Chelated zinc exerts a neuroprotection against neuronal pyroptosis in mice after acute cerebral ischemia.

Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of rhein（RHE）on ischemic mice and its potential mechanism of reducing inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis by inhibiting Notch/nuclear factor(NF)-κB signaling pathway.

Methods The classical middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method  was used to construct ischemic stroke mouse models. The mice were randomly divided into 5 groups including the sham operation group (sham), the model group (MCAO), the MCAO+edaravone group (Eda), the MCAO+RHE-treated group (RHE), and the MCAO+RHE+Notch activitor Jagged 1 group (RHE+J). Each group has 18 mice. The Bederson scoring system, balance beam walking test and accelerated rotating rod test were used to assess the neurological function and locomotor ability of mice in each group. 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, hematoxylin eosin staining, and TUNEL method  were used to assess cerebral infarction, hippocampal morphological damage, and neuronal apoptosis. ELISA was used to analysis the levels of interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) in hippocampal tissue. Western blotting was used to analysis caspase-3, Notch1, Hes1, and NF-κB p65 protein expression.    Results Compared with the sham group, Bederson score, balance beam score, cerebral infarct volume, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, the proportion of TUNEL-positively stained cells, caspase-3, Notch1, Hes1, and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression were significantly increased in the MCAO group, whereas the latency to fall decreased significantly (P<0.05) . Compared with the MCAO group, Bederson score, balance beam score, cerebral infarct volume, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, proportion of TUNEL-positively stained cells, caspase-3, Notch1, Hes1, and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression were significantly lower in both Eda and RHE groups, whereas the latency to fall increased significantly (P<0.05). Compared with the RHE group, Bederson score, balance beam score, cerebral infarction volume, IL-6 and TNF-α levels, the proportion of TUNEL-positively stained cells, caspase-3, Notch1, Hes1, and p-NF-κB p65 protein expression increased significantly in the RHE+J group, whereas the latency to fall decreased significantly (P<0.05).   Conclusion Rhein can significantly improve nerve function in ischemic mice by inhibiting Notch/NF-κB signaling pathway activation, suggesting that rhein has potential clinical application value. 

Objective To examine the distribution of sexual dimorphism in body metrical traits among Taiwanese populations in China. Methods   This study analyzed a total of 45 groups Taiwanese populations in China, including Gaoshan ethnic groups such as the Ami, Atayal, Bunun, Paiwan, Panapanayan, Pingpu, Rukai and Tsou, as wells as Han ethnic groups including Minnan and Waisheng. A total of 28 somatic traits were selected to calculate the sexual dimorphism index (I_sd), enabling us to observe the distribution of sexual dimorphism across Taiwanese populations. Results  The range of variation in I_sd among Taiwanese populations was substantial, with values ranging from -1.04% to 11.88% in the Gaoshan ethnic groups and -1.00% to 13.95% in the Han ethnic groups. Most traits exhibited more than moderate sex differences, while the pelvic width, spinal breadth and thigh circumference showed a low degree of sexual dimorphism. Clustering analysis revealed that the Ami, Bunun, Pingpu, Atayal, Paiwan and Minnan clustered together, and the Rukai, Tsou, Waisheng and Panapanayan clustered separately. Additionally, the Taiwanese populations and mainland Chinese populations were intermixed in a combined cluster. Conclusion  The distribution of I_sd among Taiwanese populations in China demonstrates significantly variation, providing novel insights into the physical characteristics of Taiwanese populations.

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which artesunate (ART) attenuates intestinal mucosal barrier damage in acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) and the synergistic effect of ART in combination with dexamethasone (DXM) in the treatment of aGVHD mice.   Methods The aGVHD mouse model was established by bone marrow haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. The mice were divided into 9 groups, including normal mice control (Ctrl), aGVHD mice (aGVHD), normal mice receiving ART ［30 mg/(kg·d)］, aGVHD mice receiving low-dose ART［10 mg/(kg·d)］, aGVHD mice receiving medium-dose ART ［30 mg/(kg·d)］, aGVHD mice receiving high-dose ART ［50 mg/(kg·d)］, aGVHD mice receiving DXM［20 mg/(kg·d)］, aGVHD mice receiving ART［30 mg /(kg·d)］and DXM ［20 mg/(kg·d)］, and aGVHD mice receiving ART ［30 mg /(kg·d)］ and halved-DXM ［10 mg/(kg·d)］. Survival rate and clinical parameters were assessed. HE staining and Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining were used to observe the histopathological changes in the intestinal mucosa of the mice; Real-time PCR, Western blotting and immunohistochemistry were used to detect the structure of the intestinal mucosal barrier, the T cell differentiation related transcription factors and cytokines, and the key enzymes of energy metabolism. Flow cytometry was used to detect the T helper cell 17(Th17) and regulatory T cells(Treg).    Results After 30 days of ART treatment, aGVHD mice showed significant relief of systemic symptoms and increase in survival rate. In aGVHD mice treated with ART, the intestinal mucosal barrier structure was restored, and the intestinal mucosal permeability was reduced. The activity of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/mTOR pathway was inhibited, and the energy metabolism pattern of T cells was dominated by fatty acid synthesis. The balance of Th17/Treg was restored due to the decrease of Th17 and the increase of Treg. The effect of ART+DXM treatment on aGVHD mice was comparable to that of DXM treatment alone, and the survival rate of mice was higher. In particular, the recovery of the intestinal mucosal barrier function was most obvious in the mice treated with ART + half-dose DXM.    Conclusion ART reduces the immune injury of allo-T cells to the intestinal mucosal barrier by recovering the Th17/Treg balance, thus maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier function. The synergistic effect of ART and DXM combination treatment in aGVHD mice can reduce the incidence of DXM side effects by decreasing the dosage of DXM. 

Research on fetal brain tissue holds immense significance for neuroscience and disease mechanisms, as its developmental processes form the cornerstone for understanding brain development and its abnormalities. The formulation of a standardized operational protocol for China's fetal brain tissue bank is urgently needed, as it can fill the gaps in the domestic relevant standardized system, support basic research and clinical exploration, and assist in addressing challenges related to ethics and sample quality. The establishment of this protocol aims to ensure operational consistency, minimize experimental deviations, provide reliable samples for disease research, and enhance international competitiveness. By integrating the practical experience of multiple domestic brain banks, this standardized operational protocol summarizes the objectives of fetal brain tissue bank collection, proposes the legal basis and ethical considerations for fetal collection, outlines the content of clinical data collection and the procedures for fetal brain tissue sampling, briefly describes pathological diagnosis norms, and details the preservation and management of information related to fetal brain tissue. Additionally, it innovatively introduces postmortem fetal brain magnetic resonance imaging (ex vivo MRI) technology. The protocol aims to establish unified and standardized criteria, strengthen the collection, processing, and sharing of samples, and promote the advancement of brain science research. 

ObjectiveTo evaluate the accuracy, efficiency, and clinical application potential of artificial intelligence (AI) technology in the imaging assessment of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), providing objective evidence for optimizing early fracture diagnosis and grading. MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on chest CT imaging data from 100 OVF patients and 300 normal controls. An AI-assisted diagnostic system and radiologists independently evaluated the thoracic 1(T1) to lumbar 1(L1) vertebrae in a double-blind manner. The consensus of three senior radiologists served as the gold standard. Agreement analysis and efficiency comparison were performed between the two methods. ResultsThe AI system demonstrated high agreement with radiologists in vertebral fracture detection (κ=0.83, 95% CI: 0.76-0.90). The AI system achieved a sensitivity of 94.2%, significantly higher than that of the radiologist group (86.7%, P<0.05). The AI system completed single-case whole-spine CT analysis in (16.6± 3.2) seconds, significantly faster than the radiologist group (89.7±21.4) seconds (P<0.001). When AI pre-screening was combined with targeted radiologist review, the average interpretation time was reduced by 81.5%. ConclusionThe conventional Genant semi-quantitative visual assessment method suffers from poor reproducibility. Integrating AI software (e.g., uAI Spine Analyzer) into vertebral fracture evaluation can enhance radiologists’ efficiency and significantly improve diagnostic accuracy, particularly in detecting early mild fractures. This AI-assisted approach serves as an effective clinical diagnostic tool, facilitating close monitoring of bone health and contributing to the strategic goal of “healthy aging.”

Objective To characterize the expression profiles and potential biological functions of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and to evaluate their clinical relevance for diagnostic and prognostic applications. Methods Transcriptome-wide RNA sequencing was performed on PBMC samples collected from AIS patients (n=5) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n=5) in a discovery cohort to delineate the circRNA landscape in AIS. The top ten differentially expressed circRNAs (DECs) were identified based on fold change and statistical significance. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted to explore the biological functions of the host genes of these DECs. Validation of candidate circRNAs was performed using Real-time PCR in an independent validation cohort consisting of 30 AIS patients and matched controls. The diagnostic and prognostic significance of validated circRNAs was further assessed through correlation analyses with National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. Results  Functional enrichment analysis revealed that the host genes of the top DECs were predominantly involved in immune responses, protein degradation and cell death. Among the candidates, hsa_circ_0075436 and hsa_circ_0005729 were significantly downregulated in AIS patients as validated by Real-time PCR. Importantly, their expression levels were inversely correlated with NIHSS scores at both admission and discharge, suggesting a potential link to disease severity and neurological recovery. ROC analysis demonstrated that both circRNAs exhibited robust diagnostic performance, highlighting their potential as blood-based biomarkers. Conclusion The host genes of DECs are involved in key pathways related to transcriptional regulation, protein ubiquitination, immune response, protein degradation, and apoptosis. Among them, hsa_circ_0075436 and hsa_circ_0005729 represent promising candidates for further development as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in acute ischemic stroke.

ObjectiveTo conduct a comprehensive investigation and analysis of the magnetic resonance imaging（MRI）characteristics of anterior mediastinal thymic epithelial tumors and lymphomas, and to assess their significance in the differential diagnosis between the two. MethodsFifty patients who were initially diagnosed with anterior mediastinal thymoma or lymphoma and were admitted to Xiamen Hospital affiliated with Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from January 2018 to April 2023 were selected as the research subjects. Upon admission, all patients underwent MRI examinations. The pathological findings, diagnostic efficacy of MRI examinations, qualitative outcomes of MRI examinations, and the incidence of collagen fiber pattern (CFP) in thymoma and lymphoma were evaluated and analyzed in this group of 50 patients. ResultsPathological examinations of the 50 patients in this group revealed 38 cases of thymoma and 12 cases of lymphoma. The concordance rate between the diagnosis of anterior mediastinal thymoma and lymphoma was 86.00%. The specificity in thymoma diagnosis was 58.33%, and the sensitivity was 94.73%. There were significant differences in the proportions of septa, scars, and enlarged lymph nodes between thymoma and lymphoma. The proportions of septa and scars in thymoma were higher than those in lymphoma, while the proportion of enlarged lymph nodes was lower than that in lymphoma, with statistical significance (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the comparison of other characteristics such as calcification, cystic necrosis, organ invasion, and pleural effusion (P>0.05). The incidence of CFP in thymoma patients with septa, patchy, and mixed types was higher than that in lymphoma, while the incidence of CFP in patients without septa was lower than that in lymphoma, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). ConclusionThere are significant differences in the incidences of septa, scars, enlarged lymph nodes, and CFP between anterior mediastinal thymoma and lymphoma on MRI, which can offer robust evidence for disease differentiation. MRI exhibits high diagnostic accuracy, specificity, and sensitivity in the differential diagnosis of these two types of lesions.

Objective To investigate the expression of myelin transcription factor 1-like (MYT1L) during amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) progression and its association with neuronal degeneration through bioinformatics analysis combined with in vivo and in vitro experiments.   Methods Bioinformatics analysis of the GSE106803 dataset from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database revealed significant down-regulation of MYT1L in spinal cords of ALS transgenic mice carrying the human superoxide dismutase 1 mutant gene (hSOD1G93A) compared to the wild-type (WT) mice. hSOD1G93A transgenic mice and their WT littermates were selected to analyze MYT1L mRNA and protein changes in spinal cord tissues at different disease stages using Real-time PCR and Western blotting. Double immunofluorescent staining was used to determine the distribution and cellular localization of MYT1L in the spinal cord of mice at the middle stage of the disease. An ALS cellular model was established using hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells, with hSOD1WT NSC34 cells as controls. MYT1L expression and distribution were assessed in these cells via Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunofluorescent staining. Based on the GSE76220 dataset from the GEO database, differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between MYT1L high -and low-expression groups in lumbar spinal motor neurons of ALS patients were identified, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis. MYT1L overexpression was induced in the ALS cellular model to evaluate alterations in cell viability and neurite outgrowth.   Results In the GSE106803 dataset, MYT1L expression was significantly down-regulated in the spinal cord of ALS mice. Animal experiments confirmed progressive reductions in MYT1L mRNA and protein levels in spinal cord tissues of ALS mice during mid- and late-disease stages. Compared to the WT group, MYT1L expression decreased in motor neurons of the lumbar spinal cord gray matter anterior horn in ALS mice, while it increased in astrocytes. In vitro, hSOD1G93Amutant NSC34 cells exhibited significantly reduced MYT1L expression than controls, with MYT1L localized to both the cytoplasm and nucleus. DEGs between MYT1L high-and low-expression groups in lumbar spinal cord motor neurons of ALS patients (GSE76220 dataset) were enriched in synaptic-related functions through GO analysis. Overexpression of MYT1L in hSOD1G93A mutant NSC34 cells enhanced cell viability and promoted neurite outgrowth.    Conclusion Aberrantly low expression of MYT1L is closely associated with ALS pathogenesis. Overexpression of MYT1L promotes neurite growth and exerts protective effects on ALS motor neurons, suggesting its therapeutic potential. 

Objective To investigate the spatio-temporal expression of nuclear receptor subfamily 0 group B member 1 (NR0B1) in synovial tissues of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and to uncover the potential upstream signalling pathway that may regulate NR0B1 expression in human fibroblast-like synovial cells, thereby clarifying the possible factors that induce the disorder of NR0B1 expression in RA.    Methods Patients with 25 RA and 18 osteoarthritis (OA) who did not receive any immunotherapy were recruited to obtain the synovial tissues of knee joint, as well as their related clinical test information, and the expression characteristics of NR0B1 in synovial tissue were investigated using Real-time PCR, Western blotting, immunohistochemistry and double immunofluorescent staining. Meanwhile, Pearson Chi square test was used to evaluate the correlation between NR0B1 mRNA expression level and clinical parameters in RA patients. Furthermore, the MH7ANR0B1-/- cells that were stably knocked down of endogenous NR0B1 were generated, and the effects of NR0B1 deficiency on the phenotype of rheumatoid synovial cells enhanced by vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) were then evaluated by means of cell viability and apoptosis assays, colony formation assay, wound healing assay, and cell invasion assay. Last, we studied the molecular mechanism underlying interleuikin 6(IL-6)-mediated regulation of NR0B1 expression at the transcriptional level by using the STAT3-specific inhibitor intervention, siRNA, and dual luciferase reporter gene detection.   Results The expression level of NR0B1 mRNA in the RA synovial tissues was significantly higher than that in synovial tissues from OA patients (P<0.05). This trend of the increased NR0B1 mRNA expression correlated to clinical parameters, including C-reactive protein (CRP), rheumatoid factor (RF) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), in RA patients. NR0B1 protein was predominantly immunolocalized in fibroblast-like synoviocytes of RA synovial tissues. Functionally, knockdown of NR0B1 expression markedly neutralize the VEGF-mediated enhancement of cell viability, resistance to apoptosis, clonogenicity, as well as migration and invasion in the MH7A cells. Additionally, IL-6 could specifically regulate NR0B1 expression in the MH7A synovial cells. IL-6 upregulated the transcriptional expression of NR0B1 mainly through induction of the phosphorylation of its downstream STAT3 at the Tyr-705 site.  Conclusion The upregulated NR0B1 expression in fibroblast-like synoviocytes is positively correlated with the progression of RA. The proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 potentiates the transactivation of NR0B1 by inducing the phosphorylation of Tyr-705 site of its downstream effector STAT3. NR0B1 may be a significant breakthrough point for understanding the interaction between IL-6 and VEGF signaling pathways and the progression of RA. 

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of echocardiography for right heart occupying lesions (RHOL). MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on echocardiographic data from 76 patients with pathologically confirmed RHOL. The echocardiographic diagnoses were compared with pathological findings to calculate the diagnostic accuracy. ResultsAmong the 76 RHOL cases, malignant tumors were the most common (40/76, 52.6%), with an echocardiographic diagnostic accuracy of 92.5% (37/40). Other identified lesions included myxomas (14/76) and thrombi (12/76). Echocardiography demonstrated high diagnostic accuracy for myxomas, thrombi, and residual calcification of the eustachian valve (83.3%-100%). In contrast, the diagnostic accuracy was lower for lipomas and intravenous leiomyomatosis (33.3% and 50%, respectively). Furthermore, pericardial effusion was present in 62.5% (25/40) of the malignant cases. ConclusionEchocardiography is an effective tool for diagnosing RHOL, showing high diagnostic value for malignant tumors, thrombi, and myxomas. The presence of concurrent pericardial effusion serves as a significant indicator of malignant lesions.